Photogrammetry strongly depends on the
source data material and is a good example for
the “GIGO” principle (Garbage In, Garbage
Out). On one hand, if the photos are not of
good quality, they limit the quality of the
resulting 3D model, no matter how good the
software is. On the other hand, with good
source photos, one can always reprocess the
images with an updated version or a different
computer program at a later time. Essentially,
photogrammetry is about taking good photos –
with some differences to normal photography
work. However, this does not mean that useful
3D models cannot be obtained from low-quality
photographs, or images taken without the
intent to use them for photogrammetry. In
fact, as long as several images from different
viewpoint exist, models can be created. An
exciting example of photogrammetric modeling
in paleontology from old images is the
reconstruction of the famous Paluxy River
sauropod and theropod dinosaur trackways
from 12 photographs taken in 1940
(Falkingham et al., 2014).